Video marketing is a great way to reach your audience. Whether you’re looking to promote your latest product or service, share an interview with an industry influencer or run a targeted video ad on YouTube or Facebook, your videos can have a huge impact.
However, not all video projects are created equal. The scope and complexity of your project will affect its overall cost.
1. Get Creative with Your Lighting
Video is one of the most popular types of content on the internet. In fact, it is forecasted that by 2022, 81% of consumer internet traffic will be video.
A simple way to make your videos look more professional is by using a variety of lighting techniques. For example, you can change the aperture and ISO settings to control how much of your shot is in focus or how bright it will be.
You can also use shadow engineering to create more flattering light for faces and products. To do this, simply cut an uneven hole in a plastic bag (zip-lock bags work best) and then position it over your camera lens. This will redirect the light away from unflattering areas. It can also help to reduce the contrast between light and dark areas in your video.
2. Focus on Your Audience
If you want to create engaging video content that resonates with audiences, it’s important to keep your audience in mind throughout the entire production process. This can help you decide which props, lighting, and editing techniques to use. It can also make it easier to communicate your vision to your team and talent.
When choosing a topic for your video, try to choose something that is relevant to your target audience. This will ensure that your video gets noticed and helps you connect with your audience.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep your videos short. Longer videos require more time to edit, which can add up quickly. If you’re working with a limited budget, short videos are the way to go. This will also save you money on equipment and editing costs. This is especially true if you’re working with a professional production company.
3. Keep It Simple
Video is one of the best ways to reach and engage your audience, but it can also be one of the most expensive. There are many factors that can affect the cost of video production, from equipment to editing software.
Keeping it simple can help you save money on your production costs. For example, adding extra effects can often be more costly than simply focusing on lighting and a clear storyline.
Think of it like a car — you can get a basic model for a reasonable price, but if you want to add a sunroof and a high-quality audio system, you’ll need to pay more for those features. By planning ahead with shot lists and storyboards, you can keep your costs down and still create premium content that will engage your audience.
4. Take Advantage of Natural Light
While it may be tempting to invest in top-of-the-line video equipment, you don’t need a high-dollar camera to produce quality content. Using natural light and affordable editing software can help you create professional-looking videos without breaking the bank.
When filming indoors, try to use light coming from windows. Avoid overhead lighting, as it can cast unflattering shadows on your subject’s face. Instead, aim for a diffuser or a reflector that can redirect the light to a more flattering angle.
When filming outdoors, try to shoot during the morning or evening when the light is softer. This will prevent your subject from squinting in the bright sun, and it will give the video a more cinematic feel. It’s also best to film during the “golden hour,” which is the time just after sunrise or before sunset. This is when the light is most soft and dramatic.
5. Don’t Forget About Audio
Getting your audio right may be the most important step in video production. If your audio is too low, viewers will have trouble understanding what’s being said and may quickly switch off the video. If your audio is too loud, it can cause distortion and hurt your listeners’ ear drums.
Using a teleprompter can help you avoid these issues and produce high-quality videos. Using a teleprompter also helps reduce the amount of time you spend recording as you don’t need to memorize your script. You can even practice with the teleprompter before your shoot to get familiar with it and avoid any miscues that might occur on filming day. It will save you time and effort in the long run. A teleprompter will also make your subjects feel more comfortable as they won’t have to worry about forgetting their lines.
6. Use a Teleprompter
Whether you’re creating YouTube videos or just recording yourself on your phone, using a teleprompter can make you look more professional. This is especially important if you’re doing a live event or broadcast. A teleprompter can help you stay on topic and avoid making glaring mistakes while speaking. If you are looking for a good Conference Videographer, I suggest that you need to find a credible video production company that can handle these tasks well.
If you’re producing a video on a large scale, you may want to consider hiring someone to operate the teleprompter. This will save you time and money in the long run. Plus, you’ll be able to focus more on the content of your video. This will result in higher-quality videos and a better experience for your viewers.
7. Shoot in HD
Just like cars, video production equipment can cost a lot of money. Thankfully, there are a few key things that can help you keep costs down and still produce high-quality videos.
One of the most important is having good quality camera gear. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but it is important that you invest in a camera with HD video capabilities and a microphone input. You should also use a tripod to avoid shaky footage.
Also consider adding subtitles and captions to your videos. This can make your videos more accessible for people who are deaf or speak a different language. It is also a great way to improve the overall quality of your videos.
8. Share Your Video on Multiple Platforms
Creating video content for multiple platforms doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, repurposing your video can save you money in the long run.
For example, you can create TikTok videos and then transcribe them into a blog post for your website. You can also use social media to promote your video, and paid advertising on platforms like Facebook and Google can help you reach a wider audience. Keeping your video files organized and easy to share is important when working on video production.
9. Take Advantage of Social Media
Most of the time, when people are watching a video on social media, they’re not expecting James Cameron-quality. They’re looking for a video that explains what the product is, shows off the company in a positive light, or tells an engaging story.
The best way to do that is to make sure your video can be viewed on multiple platforms. This includes your social media channels, your website, and email marketing.
Taking advantage of the social media ecosystem can help you save money on video production. It can also allow you to reach more potential customers by making it easier for them to see your content. In addition, many social platforms such as YouTube and Facebook give native videos priority over links to off-platform video. This means that if you can create the same video for multiple platforms, you’ll save yourself some money.
10. Don’t Forget About Storyboarding
When you’re planning your video, be sure to create a storyboard. This is a graphic representation of each frame in your video, with accompanying text (your script). You can make a storyboard by hand or with specialized software. It doesn’t have to be fancy, either; stick figures can work just fine.
Using a storyboard will help you ensure that you’ve planned out all the necessary elements of your video before beginning production. This will prevent you from wasting time and money by shooting unnecessary footage later on.
It will also help you communicate your vision to your colleagues and clients. This will help secure their buy-in and reduce the likelihood of resistance down the line. It’s also a great way to show the value of your video project, which can be beneficial when seeking funding or approval from executives.